Following a recent meeting with Abellio and a visit to Derby, you may be interested in the following highlights:
- New trains update: -
- First two class 755 bi-modes now delivered to Norwich, with 20 expected by May. A pair will be used for Norwich in 90 from May 2019 (extra services)
- First new class 745 for Stansted Express under test, should be delivered early 2019
- First new class 720 now built, second nearly ready, third being assembled, fourth just a construction kit, In service autumn 2019.
- GA is still working to update its unreliable trains. Particular issue with 321 Renatus units in the recent past, but now 25 out of 30 in service and reliability much improved.
- Smartcards now introduced for season tickets a month and over, but cardboard tickets can be requested.
- In January two new products launched (i) a Flex Carnet (ii) 26-30 Railcard
- Delay Repay 15 will be introduced early in 2019, with lawyers currently as franchise agreement needs changing.
- A passenger assistance App is being trialled
- All stations apart from the least used have now got ticket vending machines.
- Customer newsletters being issued by email and hard copy.
- Water dispensers in at Ipswich, Chelmsford and Cambridge, more planned.
- Infrastructure being upgraded at Norwich and Ilford for new trains. New depot to replace Brantham will be announced soon.
- Timetables will remain as they are (with tweeking) until May 2020. Most changes delayed until then. May change will be limited to the Norwich in 90 extra trains.
- Crossrail tunnels to GE main line will be opened between September and December 2019 depending on how testing goes.
- Changes taking place at Network Rail due to change of CEO. Looks promising for improvements.
- Infrastructure improvements will be driven but the GE task force
- Beaulieu Park, the new station proposed north of Chelmsford, proceeding on the basis of a three platform layout.
